Apparatus and method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal includes: (a) A converting unit receiving an input signal at an input locus and presenting an output current at an output locus. The input signal varies at a first frequency. The output current is substantially related with the first frequency. (b) A capacitive element coupled with the output locus for charging by the output current. The pulse width modulation reference signal is related with voltage across the capacitive element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a signal generating apparatus, and especially to a current generating apparatus that is particularly useful in connection with operating a pulse width modulation device.

Many devices depend upon accuracy of a pulse width modulation (PWM) device for proper, reliable operation. By way of example and not by way of limitation, a voltage mode DC-to-DC controller device requires a constant ratio of input voltage to a PWM ramp signal. The PWM ramp signal slope is typically generated by a voltage across a capacitive device to which a constant ramp charge current is applied. There are various sources of inaccuracy within circuitry employed to carry out such functions, including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, process variations, voltage coefficient differences and temperature coefficient differences among various components employed in constructing the circuitry. Component fabrication techniques and processes are difficult to control to yield individual components having precise values.

There is a need for an apparatus and method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal that maintains precision of operation when the apparatus is subjected to environmental change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal includes: (a) A converting unit receiving an input signal at an input locus and presenting an output current at an output locus. The input signal varies at a first frequency. The output current is substantially related with the first frequency. (b) A capacitive element coupled with the output locus for charging by the output current. The pulse width modulation reference signal is related with voltage across the capacitive element.

A method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal includes the steps of: (a) In no particular order: (1) providing a converting unit; and (2) providing a capacitive element coupled with the converting unit. (b) Operating the converting unit to receive an input signal at an input locus and present an output current at an output locus. The input signal varies at a first frequency. The output current is substantially related with the first frequency. (c) Charging the capacitive element by the output current. The pulse width modulation reference signal is related with a voltage across the capacitive element.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal that maintains precision of operation when the apparatus is subjected to environmental change.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are labeled using like reference numerals in the various figures, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic diagram of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic diagram of a representative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graphic representation of representative signals present while operating the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As mentioned above, component fabrication techniques and processes are difficult to control to yield individual components having precise values. However, it is known that ratios of values among components may be more precisely controlled than particular values for individual components. In part this precision of control occurs because many components are relatively small in size and located relatively close together in a circuit so that a influence (e.g., temperature change or the like) on one component influences close-by similarly sized components similarly. A beneficial result is that ratios among such closely located components tend to track together

FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic diagram of the apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a pulse width modulation (PWM) ramp signal generating device 10 includes a frequency-to-current converter apparatus 12, a ramp capacitor 14 and a switch 16. Switch 16 is coupled across ramp capacitor 14 in an orientation appropriate to short ramp capacitor 14 when switch 16 is closed. Switch 16 is driven by an actuator (not shown in detail in FIG. 1; represented by an arrow 18) operating at a frequency f₂. A load 20 may be coupled in parallel with ramp capacitor 14 and switch 16.

Frequency-to-current converter apparatus 12 receives a first input reference signal CLK (having a frequency f₁) at an input locus 11 and receives a second input reference signal V_(REF) at an input locus 15. Frequency-to-current converter apparatus 12 presents an output current signal I_(O) at an output locus 13. Output current I_(O) preferably varies substantially directly with input frequency f₁ so that, I _(O) ˜k·f ₁ ·V _(REF)  [1]

-   -   Where k is a constant.

An output ramp signal V_(RAMP) is presented across load 20 that varies substantially directly with input signal V_(REF) multiplied by a ratio of frequencies f₁, f₂ so that, $\begin{matrix} {{\left. V_{RAMP} \right.\sim k} \cdot \frac{f_{1}}{f_{2}} \cdot V_{REF}} & \lbrack 2\rbrack \end{matrix}$

FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic diagram of a representative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a pulse width modulation (PWM) ramp signal generating device 30 includes a frequency-to-current converter apparatus 32, a ramp capacitor 34 and a switch 36. Switch 36 is coupled across ramp capacitor 34 in an orientation appropriate to short ramp capacitor 34 when switch 36 is closed. Switch 36 is driven by an actuator (not shown in detail in FIG. 2; represented by an arrow 38) operating at a frequency f₂. A load 40 may be coupled in parallel with ramp capacitor 34 and switch 36.

Frequency-to-current converter apparatus 32 includes a one shot unit 52, an averaging unit 54 and a voltage-to-current unit 56. One shot unit 52 includes a flip-flop device 60 having a SET locus 61, a RESET locus 62 and an OUTPUT locus 63. One shot unit 52 also includes a comparator unit 64 having a noninverting input locus 65, an inverting input locus 66 and an output locus 67. A signal V_(REF) is received at noninverting input locus 65. Output locus 67 is coupled with RESET locus 62. SET locus 61 receives an input signal CLK having a frequency f₁. A capacitor C₁ is coupled between inverting input locus 66 and a ground locus 33. A charging current I_(CH) is received at inverting input locus 66 and charges capacitor C₁. A switch 68 is coupled across capacitor C₁ in an orientation appropriate to short capacitor C₁ when switch 68 is closed. Switch 68 is driven by an actuating signal t_(ON) presented at OUTPUT locus 63 (represented by an arrow 69).

Actuating signal t_(ON) is presented to averaging unit 54 to drive a switch 79 (represented by an arrow 70). Averaging unit 54 also includes an amplifier unit 72 having a noninverting input locus 73, an inverting input locus 71 and an output locus 75. A resistor 74 and a capacitor 76 are coupled in parallel between output locus 75 and inverting input locus 71. Noninverting input locus 73 is coupled with noninverting input locus 65 of comparator unit 64 and is coupled with voltage-to-current unit 56. Switch 79 is coupled between inverting input locus 71 and ground locus 33 via a current generator 78. Current generator 78 provides a current I_(CH), substantially similar to current I_(CH) provided at inverting input locus 66. An output signal V_(O) is provided by averaging unit 54 at an output locus 80. Output signal V_(O) is a voltage output signal related to frequency f₁, actuating signal t_(ON) and second input reference signal V_(REF).

Voltage-to-current unit 56 includes an amplifier unit 82 having a noninverting input locus 81, an inverting input locus 83 and an output locus 85. Voltage-to-current unit 56 also includes an NMOS transistor unit 90 having a drain 92, a gate 94 and a source 96. Voltage-to-current unit 56 further includes a resistor 84. Output signal V_(O) is received at noninverting input locus 81. Output locus 85 is coupled with gate 94. Source 96 is coupled with inverting input locus 83 and with resistor 84. Source 96 is also coupled, via resistor 84, with noninverting input locus 65 of comparator unit 64 and with noninverting input locus 73 of amplifier unit 72. Drain 92 is coupled with a current mirror 35. Current mirror 35 presents an output current I_(O) at output locus 98. Output locus 98 is coupled with ramp capacitor 34, switch 36 and load 40.

Actuating signal t_(ON) is generated by one shot unit 52 for actuating switch 79 substantially as defined by the relationship, $\begin{matrix} {t_{ON} = \frac{C_{1} \cdot V_{REF}}{I_{CH}}} & \lbrack 3\rbrack \end{matrix}$

Averaging unit 54 provides output signal V_(O) at output locus 80 substantially as defined by the relationship, V _(O) =I _(CH) ·R _(f) ·d  [4]

-   -   Where, R_(f) is the value of resistor 74; and         d=t _(ON) ·f ₁  [5]

Voltage-to-current unit 56 presents output current I_(O) at output locus 98 substantially as defined by the relationship, $\begin{matrix} {I_{O} = \frac{V_{O}}{R_{2}}} & \lbrack 6\rbrack \end{matrix}$

-   -   Where, R₂ is the value of resistor 84.

Output current I_(O) is employed for charging ramp capacitor 34. Peak-to-peak voltage ΔV_(RAMP) developed across ramp capacitor 34 is substantially as defined by the relationship, $\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\quad V_{RAMP}} = {\frac{{I_{O} \cdot \Delta}\quad t}{C} = \frac{I_{O}}{C \cdot f_{2}}}} & \lbrack 7\rbrack \end{matrix}$

-   -   Where, C is the value of ramp capacitor 34.

Combining expressions [3], [4], [5], [6] and [7], one may observe that PWM ramp voltage (i.e., voltage across load 40) can be expressed as ratios of resistances, capacitances and frequencies: $\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\quad V_{RAMP}} = {\frac{R_{f}}{R_{2}} \cdot \frac{C_{1}}{C} \cdot \frac{f_{1}}{f_{2}} \cdot V_{REF}}} & \lbrack 8\rbrack \end{matrix}$

Expression [8] may be expressed in the format of expression [2], $\begin{matrix} {{{\left. V_{RAMP} \right.\sim k} \cdot \frac{f_{1}}{f_{2}} \cdot V_{REF}}{{Where},{k = {\frac{R_{f}}{R_{2}} \cdot \frac{C_{1}}{C}}}}} & \lbrack 2\rbrack \end{matrix}$

Such a ratio relationship is amenable to good repeatable design-ratio parameters for producing a PWM ramp signal reliably dependent upon an input voltage V_(REF).

FIG. 3 is a graphic representation of representative signals present while operating the apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a graphic representation 100 is presented with respect to a vertical axis 102 representing amplitude and a horizontal axis 104 representing time. A curve 110 represents input reference voltage CLK (having a frequency f₁) that appears at SET locus 61 (FIG. 2). A curve 112 represents actuating signal t_(ON) that appears at OUTPUT locus 63 (FIG. 2) for actuating switch 79. A curve 114 represents voltage signal V_(REF) that appears at noninverting input locus 65 (FIG. 2). A curve 116 represents voltage V_(C1) across capacitor C₁ (FIG. 2). A curve 118 represents an output signal COMP_(OUT) appearing at output locus 67 (FIG. 2). A curve 120 represents output signal V_(O) appearing at output locus 80 (FIG. 2). A curve 122 represents output current I_(O) that appears at output locus 98 and is employed for charging ramp capacitor 34 (FIG. 2).

At time t₁, input reference signal CLK goes positive and sets flip-flop device 60 so that actuating signal t_(ON) pulses negatively. Switch 68 is open and charging current I_(CH) begins to charge capacitor C₁ so voltage V_(C1) begins to rise. Voltage V_(C1) is less than voltage V_(REF), so comparator output signal COMP_(OUT) is high. Also at time t₁, because actuator signal t_(ON) closes switch 79, output signal V_(O) begins to rise. The rising of output signal V_(O) causes current output signal I_(O) to rise.

At time t₂, input reference signal CLK returns to its lower level. At time t₃, voltage V_(C1) becomes greater than voltage V_(REF), so comparator output signal COMP_(OUT) goes low. Output signal COMP_(OUT) going low resets flip-flop 60, so actuator signal t_(ON) goes high and closes switch 68. Switch 68 shorts capacitor C₁. Capacitor C₁ does not react immediately, and voltage V_(C1) goes low at time t₄. When voltage V_(C1) is less than voltage V_(REF), comparator output signal COMP_(OUT) goes high. Actuator signal t_(ON) going high at time t₃ causes switch 79 to open, thereby causing output signal V_(O) and current output signal V_(O) to go low. Output signals V_(O), V_(O) reach a low level at time t₅, when input reference signal CLK goes high again, resetting flop-flop device 60.

Signal excursions and events described above in connection with time interval t₁-t₅ are repeated substantially identically during subsequent time intervals t₅-t₉, t₉-t₁₃ and in later intervals (not shown in FIG. 3). In the interest of avoiding prolixity, those signal excursions and events will not be repeated in detail here.

As mentioned earlier herein, FIGS. 2 and 3 describe construction and operation of a representative embodiment of the present invention. Other embodiments may be employed for carrying out the invention. By way of example and not by way of limitation, one may eliminate the use of one shot unit 56 (FIG. 2) if duty cycle of input reference signal CLK is substantially constant over the spectrum of frequencies at which input reference signal CLK may be set by users. By way of further example and not by way of limitation, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured for detecting a rising edge of input reference signal CLK. Other embodiments that detect other features of input reference signal CLK, such as detecting a falling edge, are within the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art and are within the intended scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a method 200 for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal begins at a START locus 202. Method 200 includes the steps of, in no particular order: (1) providing a converting unit, as indicated by a block 204; and (2) providing a capacitive element coupled with the converting unit, as indicated by a block 206.

Method 200 continues by operating the converting unit to receive an input voltage at an input locus and present an output current at an output locus, as indicated by a block 208. The input signal varies at a first frequency. The output current is substantially related with the first frequency.

Method 200 continues by charging the capacitive element by the output current, as indicated by a block 210. The reference signal is related with a voltage across the capacitive element.

Method 200 terminates at an END locus 212.

It is to be understood that, while the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe preferred embodiments of the invention, they are for the purpose of illustration only, that the apparatus and method of the invention are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims: 

1. An apparatus for providing a pulse width modulation ramp signal; the apparatus comprising: (a) a frequency-to-current converting unit; said frequency-to-current converting unit receiving a reference signal having a first frequency at an input locus and presenting an output current at an output locus; said output current being related with said input frequency; and (b) a capacitor unit coupled with said output locus for chargingly receiving said output current; said ramp signal being associated with said capacitor unit.
 2. An apparatus for providing a pulse width modulation ramp signal as recited in claim 1 wherein said ramp signal is a voltage across said capacitor unit; said capacitor unit being shorted intermittently at a second frequency.
 3. An apparatus for providing a pulse width modulation ramp signal as recited in claim 2 wherein value of said ramp signal is related substantially directly with a reference voltage multiplied by a ratio of said first frequency and said second frequency.
 4. An apparatus for providing a pulse width modulation ramp signal as recited in claim 1 wherein said frequency-to-current converting unit is comprised of a one shot unit, an averaging unit and a voltage-to-current unit; said one shot unit receiving said reference signal and generating an actuating signal related with said first frequency; said averaging unit receiving said actuating signal and generating a voltage output signal related to said first frequency and said actuating signal; said voltage-to-current unit receiving said voltage output signal and generating said output current related to said voltage output signal.
 5. An apparatus for providing a pulse width modulation ramp signal as recited in claim 4 wherein said ramp signal is a voltage across said capacitor unit; said capacitor unit being shorted intermittently at a second frequency.
 6. An apparatus for providing a pulse width modulation ramp signal as recited in claim 5 wherein value of said ramp signal is related substantially directly with a reference voltage multiplied by a ratio of said first frequency and said second frequency.
 7. An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal; the apparatus comprising: (a) a converting unit; said converting unit receiving an input signal at an input locus and presenting an output current at an output locus; said input signal varying at a first frequency; said output current being substantially related with said first frequency; and (b) a capacitive element coupled with said output locus for charging by said output current; said pulse width modulation reference signal being related with said output current.
 8. An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 7 wherein said pulse width modulation reference signal is a voltage across said capacitive element; said capacitive element being shorted intermittently at a second frequency.
 9. An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 8 wherein value of said pulse width modulation reference signal is related substantially directly with said input signal multiplied by a ratio of said first frequency and said second frequency.
 10. An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 7 wherein said converting unit is comprised of a one shot unit, an averaging unit and a voltage-to-current unit; said one shot unit receiving said input signal and generating an actuating signal related with said first frequency; said averaging unit receiving said actuating signal and generating a voltage output signal related to said first frequency and said actuating signal; said voltage-to-current unit receiving said voltage output signal and generating said output current related to said voltage output signal.
 11. An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 10 wherein said pulse width modulation reference signal is a voltage across said capacitive element; said capacitive element being shorted intermittently at a second frequency.
 12. An apparatus for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 11 wherein value of said pulse width modulation reference signal is related substantially directly with said input signal multiplied by a ratio of said first frequency and said second frequency.
 13. A method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal; the method comprising the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) providing a converting unit; and (2) providing a capacitive element coupled with said converting unit; (b) operating said converting unit to receive an input signal at an input locus and present an output current at an output locus; said input signal varying at a first frequency; said output current being substantially related with said first frequency; (c) charging said capacitive element by said output current; said pulse width modulation reference signal being related with said output current.
 14. A method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 13 wherein said pulse width modulation reference signal is a voltage across said capacitive element; said capacitive element being shorted intermittently at a second frequency.
 15. A method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 14 wherein value of said pulse width modulation reference signal is related substantially directly with said input signal multiplied by a ratio of said first frequency and said second frequency.
 16. A method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 13 wherein said converting unit is comprised of a one shot unit, an averaging unit and a voltage-to-current unit; said one shot unit receiving said input signal and generating an actuating signal related with said first frequency; said averaging unit receiving said actuating signal and generating a voltage output signal related to said first frequency and said actuating signal; said voltage-to-current unit receiving said voltage output signal and generating said output current related to said voltage output signal.
 17. A method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 16 wherein said pulse width modulation reference signal is a voltage across said capacitor unit; said capacitor unit being shorted intermittently at a second frequency.
 18. A method for driving a pulse width modulation reference signal as recited in claim 17 wherein value of said pulse width modulation reference signal is related substantially directly with said input signal multiplied by a ratio of said first frequency and said second frequency. 